Compressed fluid operated target projecting device

ABSTRACT

A clay target throwing trap for skeet and trap-shooting wherein the target is projected through a curved barrel passage by pressurized air. The air is supplied to the curved passage through a quick acting valve and propels the target along the passage. As the target travels along the passage the target is caused to spin due to frictional engagement of the target with a frictional rib in the passage.

United States Patent Inventor Robert B. Hartman Bridgeport, Conn.

Appl. No. 770,772

Filed Oct. 25, 1968 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 Assignee Remington Arms Company, Inc.

Bridgeport, Conn.

COMPRESSED FLUID OPERATED TARGET PROJECTING DEVICE 1 Claim, 7 Drawing Figs.

U.S.C1 124/11, 124/51 R, 124/43, 124/31 lnt. Cl ..F4lb 11/00, F41b 1 H06 Field of Search 124/1 1, 13,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 458,329 8/1891 Owen 124/11 1,229,092 6/1917 124/8 2,508,461 5/1950 124/11 X 3,400,703 9/1968 Rhodes 124/1 1 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-D. Verner Smythe ABSTRACT: A clay target throwing trap for skeet and trapshooting wherein the target is projected through a curved barrel passage by pressurized air. The air is supplied to the curved passage through a quick acting valve and propels the target along the passage. As the target travels along the passage the target is caused to spin due to frictional engagement of the target with a frictional rib in the passage.

PATENIED um 51971 F I G "i ii INVENTOR Aoaa T B. I/IMrM/MI ATTORNE PATENTED um 5 1971 SHEET 2 OF 4 INVENTOR KoanrT 1S. HAM-MAM ATTORNEY PATENT'ED w 5 1911 SHEET 3 [1F 4 INVENTOR K055 BJVMTMAA/ MI ATTORNEY PATENTED um 519m 3,610 222 sum u or 4 ATTOR EY COMPRESSED FLUID OPERATED TARGET PROJIEC'I'ING DEVICE This invention relates to target-throwing traps adapted to project frangible targets, such being known as clay pigeons, for skeet and trapshooting purposes.

In prior devices, the target has been placed on a straight swingable arm, the arm having a heavy spring attached thereto for rapidly rotating the same to throw the target. The spring is energized and held in cocked position by a suitable latch and when the latch is released, the arm is swung thereby so as to project the target. Considerable force is required to obtain the required velocity and spin so that the spring and the various parts must be quite heavy. Because of the strength of the spring needed and the weight of the parts, breakages thereof may occur. It also has been suggested to connect an airoperated piston to the arm instead of a spring, but such has not proven to be satisfactory. Another problem has been that of breakage of the targets on the throwing arm due to concentration of the throwing force to a very small area of the target.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a target trap which does not require heavy mechanically moved parts.

Another object is to provide a trap free of relatively heavy exposed rapidly moving parts which can present a safety hazard.

Still another object is to provide a trap capable of throwing standard targets greater distances as required in Olympic shooting, special stronger targets being necessary on mechanical traps.

Another of the objects of the invention is to provide a target trap which will impart the desired spin and velocity to a target in a simple manner.

In one aspect of the invention, the trap consists of a barrel with a passage therethrough, the passage being curved and approaching the cross-sectional shape of the target. The breech end of the barrel has means for feeding a target thereto, a valve, and a source of compressed or pressurized air connected thereto. A control valve of a quick acting type is used to control the application of air pressure to the target to propel it through the passage. Frictional material such as neoprene or similar material is put on the interior outside circumference of the passage so that the target as it is propelled therethrough will have a spin imparted to it. The source of air may include a storage chamber or tank of sufficient volume so that when the quick dump control valve is opened, sufficient volume of air will be available to impinge upon the target to propel it through the passage with sufficient velocity to travel the desired distance. The curvature of the passage may take various forms. The barrel can be supported on suitable adjustable means so that the flight path of the target can be directed as desired.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of the invention;-

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken in the direction of line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but with the carriage moved to the right;

FIG. 4 is a broken sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a broken view taken along the view 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in conjunction with a clay target having steps or ridges, but it is to be understood that the various parts can be made so as to accommodate other shapes of targets. A compromise barrel contour may accommodate a variety of target contours. 4

Referring now to FIG. 1, barrel 20 has steps on the interior passage corresponding to the particular shape of target 21. A frictional rib 22 is placed on the outer circumference of the barrel passage 19 (FIGS. 1, 6) so that as the target moves through the barrel in direction 23, an outer surface of the target will contact the frictional material of the rib or strip so as to impart a spin to the target as it rolls along the passage. In one form, the frictional strip may be neoprene or other suitable rubberlike material. It is desirable that only one ring surface of the target contact the outer circumference of the barrel passage. Such will reduce rubbing since the different diameter rings would tend to roll at different speeds. The second from the bottom ring is currently standard on mechanical traps and is therefore used on this device, although any ring might be used.

The breech end 24 of the barrel is attached to plate 25, said breech end and plate 25 being carried on a support shown generally at 26 (FIG. 7). Support or post 26 is mounted on base 27 and is arranged so that the angle and direction of projection of the target can be changed as desired.

A source or reservoir of air.28 is connected to the breech of the barrel by tube or air passage 29 which acts as part of the reservoir. The air passage has a cross sectional area equal to approximately the cross sectional area of the barrel passage so that air flow from the source of air, when entering the barrel passage, will not be impeded by the development of turbulence. A quick dump valve or air control valve 30 is located between the source of air 28, 29 and barrel 20.

Various arrangements for loading the target can be employed. In the form shown (FIGS. 1, 2, 3) a sliding block 31 is mounted on plate 32, said block having target receiving chambers 33, 34. Support plate 25 is arranged to receive a target so that the target can be pushed into one of the chambers 33, 34 of block 31. In FIG. 1 target A is located along the axis of the barrel in readiness for release of air to propel the target through the barrel. After the target has been projected, the target B which has been loaded into chamber 33 is brought into line with the barrel axis by moving block 31 to the right (FIG. 2). As an example, handle 35 can be provided for so moving the block. Stops 36 are placed in plate 25 to limit travel of the block 31. During any release, there is no tendency for the shuttle block 31 to move since the same air pressure is applied to both sides of the target-receiving cavity.

The air can be supplied to the reservoir or accumulator 28 in various manners. A paint sprayer type compressor (not shown) with suitable pressure controls can be connected thereto. It is desirable that the air be applied suddenly to the target at the breech of the barrel so that it will attain the proper velocity in a reasonable length barrel. Present mechanical traps by rules of the various games involved typically project standard targets to about 50 yards with a spin of typically 1700-1800 rpm. for American traps, and throw special targets yards for Olympic International traps.

Various types of quick acting dump valves can be used. In the example shown, dump valve 40 (FIG. 4) is pivotally mounted at 41 to the frame of the trap, gasket 42 sealing the valve when it is in the ready or cocked position. Sear 43 is reciprocally mounted in aperture 44 and is connected to trigger lever 45, trigger lever 45 being pivoted at 46 to the barrel. The pressure of the air on the face of valve 40 will tend to open it, sear 43 keeping it in closed position until released. The dump valve may have sufficient inertia so that the air front will not strike the target in such a manner as to shatter the same.

Pressure on trigger 45 at 47 will move the sear upwardly, so that the air pressure in tube 29 will cause rapid opening of valve 40 to the position shown in dotted lines at 48 (FIG. 4).

The target A will then be propelled through the barrel 20. As it moves towards the muzzle 49 (FIG. 1), the target will roll against the neoprene strip or rail 22 (FIG. 6) and leave the muzzle with a suitable spin, the tangential momentum holding the target against the frictional strip as it is propelled through the barrel.

The barrel may be constructed in various manners. In the form illustrated, plate 50 (FIG. 6) serves as the bottom. Bridge 54 has upstanding outside walls 51, 52. Bridge 54 has an interior contoured surface according to the shape of the target to be fired. The clearance between the target and walls should be relatively small, such as in the range of 0.030 inches to reduce air leakage around the target. The elastomeric fric- Referring to Table l, A and C illustrate the effect of changing durometer on spin. B shows the effect of change of volume in the reservoir on range. Referring to Table ll, D and E show effect of target position on spin for two volumes and pressures tional strip can be of 50 durometers typically. However, spin 5 with the range remaining substantially the same. In table III, F rate may be varied by different values. Higher durometers or and G show the effect of change of pressure on range. harder material produce lower spin. The air pressure, radius of curvature, length of barrel and The radius of curvature of the outer circumference of the other parameters will govern the spin, trajectory and distance interior passageway of the barrel can be a constant radius or of throw. it has been shown that a target can be thrown over may be a combination of radii. Also, it could be composed of lo 100 yards, and spins of 3600 r.p.m. have been recorded. traight and curved surfaces, It ha been found that a t et it should be apparent that variations can be made in details can be satisfactorily projected if the constant di f v of construction without departing from the spirit of the inventure is between 24 inches and 36 inches with an effective barlion xcep 8 Se orth in he appended Claims. rel length of between 24 inches and 36 inches. The supply lclfllmi pressure and durometer of the frictional rail must be ad usted A trap f throwing frangible targets comprising a barrel dependlng onfhe Specific radlus f length used to p with a breech end and having a passage therethrough of cross desired P and range- Increasing Panel length generally section similar to that of the target, said barrel passage being Increases P and "f whereas mcmaslng the fadllls curved to cause a target projected therethrough to follow a generally decreases spin. Range is somewhat depe On curved path, frictional material on at least a portion of the 5pm since s inrmparts flight stability to the target. outer circumference of the interior of said curved barrel A typical test result shows that decreasing durometers from passage to id a lli surface to i d i i id 70 to 40 can increase spin from 1200 to 3200 r.p.m. ln gets as they are projected through the barrel, a source of gas another case, decreasing radius from 31 inches to 24 inches under pressure, a dump valve, means defining a passageway increased spin from 1700 to 2700 r.p.m. However, there are 25 from said source of gas to said barrel passage, said passageway many complex interactions between parameters so that it is means being of a cross sectional area substantially that of the difficult to relate all of the various factors. Some typical barrel passage so as not to substantially impede the free flow system results are tabulated below. of air therethrough by causing turbulence and breech loading TABLE I Radius Efiective Duromof barrel water of friction length in friction rail in Pressure, Volume, Range, Spin, inches rail inches p.s.i. cu. in. yds r.p.m.

A 29. 5 24 i7 588 55 12, 450 29. 5 to 24 i7 588 56 i3, 170 B i 29. 6 i0 30 i8 B 53 l, 020 29. 5 to 30 is .500 .33 2, 020 C 25 30 36 i8 .312 56 l, 205 26 i0 36 l8 B12 11, 680

TABLE II [Effect of target position on spin] Target Radius position Duromof from ctor of friction valve in lriction rail in Pressure, Volume, Range, lSpin inches rail inches p.s.l. cu. in. yds. r.p.m.

D 8 so 30 i9 325 56 1l,330 4 '60 30 119 325 52 l, 636 E 8 60 30 12 275 .50 l, 355 4 60 30 20 276 50 l, 530

'I ABLE 111 [Efiect of pressure] means defining a rectangular opening intersecting said barrel Emotive Durom Radius passage at the breech end of said barrel and a reciprocatmg 1 bahltf} etei: of ior frltili Presv I R shuttle mounted in said rectangular opening and slidable engt rietion on ra sure, oume ange.

inches ran winches psi cu. ML 55 therein between breech open and breech closed positions and a pocket in said shuttle WhlCl'l IS open to receive a target when Target sample A the shuttle is in breech open position and which is in alignment F 29. 5 36 17. 5 350 43 with and forms a continuation of said barrel passage when the 5 60 36 5 52 shuttle is in breech closed position.

Target Sample B 60 G 29. 5 60 36 15 350 27. 2 29. 5 60 B6 17. 5 B50 41. 6 

1. A trap for throwing frangible targets, comprising a barrel with a breech end and having a passage therethrough oF cross section similar to that of the target, said barrel passage being curved to cause a target projected therethrough to follow a curved path, frictional material on at least a portion of the outer circumference of the interior of said curved barrel passage to provide a rolling surface to induce spin in said targets as they are projected through the barrel, a source of gas under pressure, a dump valve, means defining a passageway from said source of gas to said barrel passage, said passageway means being of a cross sectional area substantially that of the barrel passage so as not to substantially impede the free flow of air therethrough by causing turbulence and breech loading means defining a rectangular opening intersecting said barrel passage at the breech end of said barrel and a reciprocating shuttle mounted in said rectangular opening and slidable therein between breech open and breech closed positions and a pocket in said shuttle which is open to receive a target when the shuttle is in breech open position and which is in alignment with and forms a continuation of said barrel passage when the shuttle is in breech closed position. 